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The glint in his eye betrays the flecks in his hair. Brad Hodge
is discussing his plans for the summer and, more specifically, his
bid for Justin Langer's vacated Test berth. The wizened 32-year-old
veteran suddenly transforms into a wide-eyed rookie, albeit one
with more than a hint of silver around the temples.

In his excitement, Hodge forgets sport's oldest tenet - thou
shalt take it one game at a time - and freely admits that the Test
opening position has claimed provisional pole on the starting grid
of his mind. After 14 years of knocking on the door of the Test
side, Hodge can hear the latch being removed. And he is all too
aware that this may be his best, and last, chance of gaining
permanent entry.

"It's a great opportunity for anyone who gets the chance," Hodge
says. "It's something that is staring at you. All the guys who have
put their hand up would be feeling a bit of anxiety and nervousness
about the future, but that's OK. Personally, it's been hard not to
think about it, and at times it can just creep into your head a
little bit too much. I'm sure every player has done it and it's
hard not to."

Still, as with everything in Hodge's career, it won't come
easily. Phil Jaques, believed to be his main rival for Langer's
former post, is a seasoned opener and in tremendous form, returning
from Australia A's tour of Pakistan with two centuries and an
average of 123.33 from two unofficial Tests. Jaques tomorrow will
start a Pura Cup match against another contender, Chris Rogers.
Though injured, Shane Watson's bid cannot be discounted, with
Australia's brains trust intrigued by the idea of having two
all-rounders.

But, across the Indian Ocean, there is evidence to suggest Hodge
might be nudging his way to the front of the queue. Despite posting
three low totals in the one-day series against India, the selectors
have seen fit to persist with him at a time when Brad Haddin can't
help but score runs.

This is a strange development for Hodge, the player who has
received more apologetic taps on the shoulder from selectors than
most. With the wounds barely healed from his last Test axing,
shortly after a double-century against South Africa, the five-Test
veteran is taking the recent show of faith as a positive sign.

"It's been a nice change to be given an extended run to make an
impact," he said. "It would be nice to have an extended run and
find yourself in the team for a year or more. I put myself under a
bit of pressure at the start of the tour, but I feel relaxed at the
moment. It can be frustrating; you're batting in Ricky's spot and
he's going to come back in, so you're still trying to find your own
little niche in the side. If you do well, you know you're going to
be shuffled somewhere else. But that's the Australian cricket
side."

Victorian coach Greg Shipperd confirmed yesterday he would
assist Hodge by promoting him to opener for the Pura Cup clash
against Western Australia in a fortnight; the last match before
Andrew Hilditch's panel names its squad for the first Test against
Sri Lanka. Hodge will match up against Langer and is eager to
discuss with him the changes he underwent to transform from a No.3
to opener.

"I've toured with him a few times and run him out a few drinks,
so there's no reason why we can't sit down and share a can after
the day's play," he said. "If [Test selection] happens for me, we
will have walked a similar path. It's been done before - Langer,
David Boon and Hilditch himself. I feel that I'm very well equipped
to play Test cricket. I'm strong in my mind, strong in my
cricket.

"[Opening] was something that was mentioned to me by Allan
Border. That was probably six or seven years ago. I think he was
Australia A coach at the time, and we were just talking frankly
about cricket, and he was opening my mind to different thoughts and
different paths to the Test team."

Given Australia's recent selection moves, Hodge's age would not
appear to be a major obstacle to Test selection. And the fact that
Australia's first Test series this season is against the Sri
Lankans may work to his advantage.

In the northern summer, Hodge played alongside Sri Lanka's
destroyer-in-chief Muttiah Muralitharan at Lancashire and spent
hours repelling his doosras, toppies and off-spinners in the nets.
Sanath Jayasuriya also played at Old Trafford during the season,
providing Hodge with an "insider" perspective on a side that has
often proved a handful for the Australians.

That knowledge will only be of use should he be selected in the
Test side. If hunger was a factor, the opening position would be in
Hodge's keep.

"I remember saying to my wife that I just wanted to play one
Test, but now I've played five, and it just feels so short of where
I want to be," he said.

"Now I sit here and I want 50 Tests, I want 4000 runs, I want a
couple of double centuries, I want nine centuries for Australia. I
feel very unsatisfied with what's happened. That's the reality that
I look at. I cannot sit here and think that I am just happy with
five Tests, even though I think I've achieved something special
representing Australia and making 200."

The opener's spot is one of three vacancies created by the
retirements of Langer, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

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the eye, writes Alex Brown.SportCrickethttp://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/10/12/hodge_narrowweb__300x434,0.jpg

Helping hand ... Brad Hodge will open for Victoria when he returns
from India.

Helping hand ... Brad Hodge will open for Victoria when he returns
from India.

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